Jar Jar Binks: Not the hero we need, but the hero we deserve

Jar Jar Binks, a Gungan just trying to survive his life on Naboo, quickly became caught up in the  Republic’s battle with the Trade Federation. After encountering and befriending the Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi during the blockade of Naboo, Jar Jar was able to help persuade the Gungans to fight alongside the Republic against the Separatists.

A decade later, Jar Jar played politics and appointed emergency powers to Palpatine, so the separatists would be defeated.

Three years later the clone wars were over, the Republic and Jedi were dead. Palpatine was now an Emperor, Anakin had become Vader, and Jar Jar solemnly walked during Padme’s funeral.

Not much is known what became of Jar Jar Binks after Revenge of the Sith.

Bink’s brave acts in the Clone Wars were overshadowed by his role in the fall of democracy, which, in turn, was the cause of his second exile.

After the Battle of Endor and the rise of the New Republic, he performed in the streets of Theed as a clown and was popular with children. Many Gungan and Naboo adults refused to speak to him or say his name; he did however find a friend in a boy named Mapo who was a refugee at a nearby orphanage around 5 ABY. Binks was remembered after the Battle of Endor, and he was mentioned by a member of the Whills as someone to be remembered in galactic history.

Because of the negative criticism that the character received in both The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, during the development of Revenge of the Sith, actor Ahmed Best recommended George Lucas kill off Jar Jar by having Anakin Skywalker slice him apart — the idea was obviously rejected.

With all that in mind, Jar Jar Binks is surely a hero needed to appear in one of the many new Star Wars shows. Jar Jar could appear on the Ahsoka show, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett or really any other show for that matter.

In a way, Jar Jar is the ultimate simple man trying to make his way in the universe. Binks was a hero with extensive experience of the Republic, with such knowledge and experience to contribute to new and old heroes alike.

Is redemption in the future for Jar Jar?